Steelers 2007 Schedule
Quick analysis of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2007 schedule, which was announced today:
Week 1: @Cleveland -- Good way for the Steelers to start the season with a new coach and (hopefully) a rehabilitated QB (mentally, that is). Will be a big disappointment if they don't win this. And will this be Brady Quinn's debut? Steelers 1-0 at this point.
Week 2: Buffalo -- Good game for the Steelers as Tomlin's home debut. Yet another game that the Steelers should win, but the Bills should not be overlooked. They were a contender for the playoffs as much as the Steelers were at the end of the year. Steelers are 2-0 after this one.
Week 3: San Francisco -- The gift from the schedule makers continues. Another game that the Steelers should win, but, again, a team that cannot be overlooked as the Ninders made huge strides last year behind Alex Smith and Frank Gore. Steelers are 3-0 after this one.
Week 4: @Arizona -- Revenge game for Grimm and Whisenhunt, but expect a huge contingent of Steeler fans in the crowd. The Cardinals should have a great offense (Leinart, Fitzgerald, E. James, etc.). First loss for Tomlin? I think so. 3-1 after this.
Week 5: Seattle -- Replay of the Super Bowl from two years ago. Surprised this is not a nationally televised game. This is another tough game for the Steelers. Will really stress their defense. Can they head into the bye at 4-1?
Week 6: Bye -- Nice time for a break ahead of a tough stretch of games.
Week 7: @Denver (Sunday night) -- Tomlin makes his national TV debut against Cutler and the Broncos. Hard to see what Denver will be about this year. But hard to win in the Mile High City. Steelers are 4-2 after this.
Week 8: @Cincy -- Second tough road game. Another game that should stress the defense. How will Tomlin get his team back on track after a two game losing streak. 4-3 after this one.
Week 9: Baltimore (Monday night) -- Might be the make or break game of the season. If the Steelers are really 4-3 and on a two game losing streak, then losing this game would probably break their spirit. The Ravens dominated the Steelers last year. What will happen this year. Can Tomlin channel the spirit of Cowher on Monday night? Yes. 5-3 after this one.
Week 10: Cleveland -- 6-3 after this nice breather in the scheduler.
Week 11: @NY Jets -- Yet another underrated team. Pennington came back well last year. Steelers can't take them lightly. But they should be able to win this one. 7-3 then.
Week 12: Miami (Monday night) -- The Joey Porter Return Game. Too bad he can;t throw the ball for Miami. The fans will be into this one. Steelers go to 8-3 in a lopsided affair.
Week 13: Cincy (Sunday night -- tentatively) -- For the division title? Maybe, maybe not. But a good game nonetheless. Steelers go to 9-3.
Week 14: @ New England -- The Patriots were the surprising big spenders in the free agent market this year. And the Steelers have not fared well in Foxboro in recent times. Drops them to 9-4 going into the homestretch. (Also watch for this game to be moved from its 1pm time).
Week 15: Jacksonville -- This game figures to be close and low scoring, like seemingly all Steelers-Jaguars games. Hopefully it will be cold at Heinz Field. Steelers go to 10-4 and wrap up a playoff berth.
Week 16: @ Saint Louis (Thursday night) -- Short week to prepare for a road game against hometown QB Marc Bulger. Steelers get caught looking ahead to the final game of the season. 10-5.
Week 17: @Baltimore -- For the division? Maybe. Steelers will have a hard time here. Let's assume they lose and split the series.
So, i predict a 10-6 season, which should get them into the playoffs. The schedule is very hard. But they have a great chance to get a running start with their first four games. If they come through those well, the three after the bye week should tell the tale of the season.
posted by pghsports @ 6:14 PM
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